USA needs bold changes to have chance vs. Sweden. Put Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn in midfield

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The U.S. women can’t start from scratch. Even if FIFA would allow it, they’re not getting Mallory Swanson or Becky Sauerbrunn back. The cushion of the group stage, where they could figure things out without paying too big a price, is over.

The USWNT’s World Cup run, to say nothing of its hopes of becoming the first-ever team to win three consecutive titles, is already on fumes, and now they face a round-of-16 game Sunday night against Sweden. You know, the team that bounced the Americans out of the Rio Games in 2016, the only time they’ve not reached the semifinals at a World Cup or Olympics, and then thrashed them in the opener in Tokyo.

To say the U.S. prospects of advancing are not great is putting it nicely. But the USWNT has never been known to give up − 2011 quarterfinals, anyone? − and wacky, unexpected things have become the norm at this World Cup.

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So how can the USWNT reverse its fortunes? A few ideas:

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Put Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn in the midfield

Both Ertz and Dunn are playing on the backline out of necessity. Ertz returned to her old spot at center back after Sauerbrunn was ruled out of the World Cup with a foot injury, and Dunn has been playing left back because the USWNT wasn’t able to find anyone else with her combination of smarts, speed and skill.

They’ve been terrific, Ertz in particular. She’s bailed the Americans out of a couple of tough situations, and her leadership and communication has helped make the defense one of the few bright spots at this World Cup.

But the U.S. midfield is, quite frankly, a mess. It is where passes and offensive momentum go to die, and both Portugal and the Netherlands sliced through it with ease. With Rose Lavelle out against Sweden because of yellow-card accumulation, the midfield is desperate for help.

It’s desperate for Ertz and Dunn.

Ertz was magnificent as a defensive midfielder − she was twice named U.S. Soccer’s player of the year playing the position − and she would take the pressure off Lindsey Horan. It’s a risk not having her as the last line of defense but, if she’s anchoring the midfield, the hope is it doesn’t even come to that.

Dunn’s natural position is attacking mid, and her play there is a large reason pretty much every one of her club teams has been a title contender. Also, she and Horan complemented each other well when they were paired together on the Portland Thorns in 2021.

Inserting them could give the midfield the dynamism it has lacked.

Start Kelley O'Hara

Emily Fox would need to shift to the left side if Dunn moves into the midfield, which then creates an opening for O’Hara.

O’Hara has the same, steadying veteran presence Ertz does. She’s also plenty familiar with Sweden, having faced them in both Tokyo and Rio, as well as at the 2019 World Cup. And the 2015 World Cup. And the 2011 World Cup.

More importantly, O’Hara has a passion and energy this team has been lacking. It came as no surprise she was the one to address the team on the field after the scoreless draw against Portugal, talking animatedly as she looked each of her teammates directly in the eye.

The USWNT needs to show some swagger early against Sweden, and O’Hara would bring that.

"I believe in this team. I think I know what this team is capable of," O’Hara said after the Portugal game.

Give Alyssa Thompson a chance

It’s a lot to ask an 18-year-old with all of six appearances with the USWNT − two of which have been at this World Cup − to step up when the storied team’s legacy is on the line. But Thompson’s speed and unpredictability could be particularly effective against Sweden.

"Her creativity on field and the things she does on the field is so hard to track because you never know what she’s going to do. Is it going to be one-on-one, one-on-two? Give and go or a shot? Left foot, right foot?" coach Vlatko Andonovski said in June. "She’s very hard to track or prepare for."

Even if the USWNT does all of these things, there's still no guarantee it gets by Sweden. But it's better than doggedly sticking with what they've been doing because that, clearly, is not not working.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.